The aim of the study is to investigate the effects of exercise and vitamin D supplementation on reducing falls and injuries in community-dwelling, independent-living women aged 70-79 years of age. The investigators will test the following hypothesis:

Exercise including strength, balance and mobility training will improve muscle functioning and body balance, and thus reduce falls by 30% compared with non-exercisers.

20 µg (800 IU) of vitamin D per day for two years supervised training two times a week for 12 months, and once a week during the next 12 months

Other Names:

Mini-Sun

strength training

balance training

mobility training

Active Comparator: exercise with placebo

Dietary Supplement: exercise and vitamin D supplementation

placebo per day for two years supervised training two times a week for 12 months, and once a week during the next 12 months

Other Names:

Mini-Sun

strength training

balance training

mobility training

Active Comparator: no exercise with vitamin D 800 IU/d

Dietary Supplement: exercise and vitamin D supplementation

20 µg (800 IU) of vitamin D per day for two years no supervised training (maintenance of their current level of physical activity)

Other Names:

Mini-Sun

strength training

balance training

mobility training

Placebo Comparator: no exercise with placebo

Dietary Supplement: exercise and vitamin D supplementation

placebo per day for two years no supervised training (maintenance of their current level of physical activity)

Other Names:

Mini-Sun

strength training

balance training

mobility training

Detailed Description:

Falls account for over 80% of all injury-related admissions to hospital among older people. Although there is evidence that both exercise and vitamin D improve neuromuscular and cognitive function, and may thus reduce the risk of falls and fractures, these two factors have never been evaluated together in a clinical trial. This study is a randomized 24-month intervention in elderly women. The investigators hypothesize that exercise and vitamin D supplementation reduce falls and injuries including fractures in community-dwelling, independent-living women 70-79 years of age. The eligible participants will be randomly assigned into one of four groups:

exercise with vitamin D

exercise with placebo

no exercise with vitamin D

no exercise with placebo. The rational of this study is to provide important information on how to maintain and improve physical functioning and thus prevent falls and fractures of elderly people. In addition, if fear of falling can be declined with this program, it will further help elderly people to keep physically active and maintain their functional capacity and quality of life.

Eligibility

Ages Eligible for Study:

70 Years to 80 Years (Senior)

Genders Eligible for Study:

Female

Accepts Healthy Volunteers:

Yes

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

female

age 70-80 years old

lives at home independently

has fallen at least once during the previous year

no contraindication to exercise

understands the procedures of the study

has been informed of X-ray radiation doses of the DXA and pQCT investigations

Exclusion Criteria:

moderate-to-vigorous exercise more than 2 hours per week

regular use of vitamin D, or calcium + vitamin D supplements

a recent fracture (during preceding 12 months)

contraindication or inability to participate in the exercise program

marked decline in the basic activities of daily living (ADL-test)

cognitive impairments (Mini Mental State Examination, MMSE-test < 18)

persons with chronic disease conditions, such as Parkinson's disease

Contacts and Locations

Choosing to participate in a study is an important personal decision. Talk with your doctor and family members or friends about deciding to join a study.
To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the Contacts provided below.
For general information, see Learn About Clinical Studies.

Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00986466